Chapter 1

After I said that, it became extremely quiet in the hall.

My father and uncles were all shocked. Even Austin Smith, who was fiddling with a knife in the corner, frowned.

Everyone knew that I loved William Smith.

They thought that with how stubborn I was, I would definitely throw a tantrum. I would not give in like this.

“Jade, haven’t you always had feelings for William? William isn’t here yet, so we can forfeit this outcome. You can draw a straw again when he’s here.

“We can also do a best of three. Adam, check if William’s here. We’ve informed him in advance, so why isn’t he here yet?”

My father, Jacob Anderson, tried to smooth things over.

However, I knew that William had already tampered with the box.

There was no long straw at all. Even if I spent the rest of my life drawing, I would not get the long one.

Besides, I already knew the consequences of forcing this marriage.

“Mr. Anderson, Mr. William said that he’s gone to pick up his lover.” Adam Reid glanced carefully at me.

“He also said that he’s never had feelings for Ms. Anderson and he only treats her as a younger sister. If Ms. Anderson has any misunderstandings about this, he would like to apologize to her.”

Previously, William never went after Mandy Black.

It seemed like he had returned to the past too.

It was a good thing. I no longer wanted to cross paths with him in this life.

“There’s no need for that. I’m choosing Austin.”

I looked at Austin and spoke decisively. “We don’t need an engagement party. Let’s get our marriage registered right now. After that, we can pick a date for the wedding.”

Austin’s hand trembled, and his knife fell to the floor.

He only returned to his senses when we reached the city hall. He stared at me expressionlessly.

“It’s been twenty minutes. I bet William would’ve received the news by now. How long does he need to take before arriving? If this is just a lover’s squabble, you don’t have to drag me into it, you know?”

In the past, Austin had died for me.

The Anderson family had been extremely powerful in North Town for many years, so we had a lot of enemies. William was holding the reins at that time.

He disliked violence, so our enemies took a more savage approach.

When Austin died in my arms, he was still telling William to take good care of me.

However, William was a coward, and he did not avenge Austin due to his aversion to violence.

He also did not allow me to get close to other men in our immediate circle. He would not even let me see my father.

William was unwilling to love me, and he treated me coldly. Yet, he locked me up at home.

Only when I was dying did he confess that he loved someone else.

“Are you afraid of marriage? When did you become such a coward?”

Austin snickered. “Why would I be afraid? You’d better have thought this through. Once you marry me, it won’t be so easy for you to escape.

“I’m not afraid of death. If you dare cheat on me with William, I’ll shoot William and die with you.”

“Enough talk.” I walked in first.

After we registered our marriage, Austin asked to prepare our wedding.

My father had set the wedding date for a week later. He would also announce Austin as his successor in North Town on the same day.

I visited the bar with my best friend and updated her on my marriage. I did not expect to run into William, though.

His face immediately fell.

“You got married?”